Two uniformed security officers appeared in the doorway, but Mark Vance stepped between them and the table, holding up an official city credentials badge.

“I’m Mark Vance, independent auditor,” Mark said in his clipped, dry voice.

“I’m here at the direct request of the founding president to present verified physical records to the board of directors.”

Mark walked past Valerie without a glance and pushed his black storage drive straight into the main USB port of the boardroom projector.

Valerie reached to shut her laptop, but Mark laid his palm flat on the top of the case before she could close it.

The slide on the wall monitor flickered, went dark, and Garrett’s presentation was replaced by a scanned three-page document with a red laboratory seal across the top corner.